Our committees are the engine of the Sumner Association of Neighbors, driving everything from local events to city advocacy. Serving on a committee or volunteering for an event are fantastic ways to get involved without jumping straight into a board seat. It offers a “low-pressure” introduction to neighborhood leadership, allowing you to contribute your skills to specific projects on a schedule that fits your life. Committee meetings are conducted on various days/evenings, during the week and on the weekend to fit your schedule!
Interested in joining a committee meeting or volunteering? email: sanboardpdx@gmail.com
*Check with your employer! Employer paid volunteer hours may be eligible for SAN volunteering for events, committees, and board service.
Events – Chair: Grant Westrum
The Events Committee is dedicated to curating a calendar that fosters community engagement, stewards the Sumner area, and supports local vendors within our fiscal means. Our 2026 lineup features the Monthly Litter Patrol, the Annual Parade, Dumpster Days, National Night Out, and our Pumpkin Party.
LUTOP, Land Use, Transportation, Open Spaces, & Parks – Chair: Denell Graham
The LUTOP Committee collaborates closely with our district coalition and city, state, and metro agencies to advocate for Sumner’s unique needs. Our efforts range from addressing urgent traffic concerns to championing the development of local parks and protected green spaces. A LUTOP subcommittee is currently working on understanding the proposed surplus and sale of a 2.5 acre piece of the SAN Lot. They have launched a survey to understand the desires of the community for this space. Currently our only neighborhood greenspace. You can take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/SANlotSurvey
Community Safety – Chair: Hannah Lewis, She/Her
Following the January bylaws update, the role previously known as “Crime & Safety”—originally held by a single individual—has transitioned into a full committee. This new group is expanding its scope beyond crime prevention to engage the neighborhood in comprehensive safety initiatives, including natural disaster preparedness and CPR training, education to better understand Human Trafficking, and advocacy for survivors of exploitation.
Community Relations – Chair: Racheal Gaffney
This committee manages all neighborhood communications, including social media, website maintenance, monthly newsletters, and the design and distribution of flyers and mailers. However, as production and postage costs rise, physical mailers have become increasingly difficult for our non-profit to sustain. To ensure we remain fiscally responsible, we strongly encourage neighbors to connect with us through our digital platforms.
Board Elections – Chair: Hannah Lewis, She/Her
Some committees are seasonal, such as the Elections Committee. We “rise from the ashes” a few months before each election to recruit candidates, prepare ballots, and manage day-of logistics. While our current bylaws require in-person voting, we are actively exploring digital alternatives for the future to increase accessibility.